Kalvin Smith wanted the iPhone 4 more than anybody, and he arrived at the Verizon Wireless in Montgomery at 3:50 a.m. to get it first. He took the day off from work, so it didn't matter how long it might take.

Turns out, he made the right call. First one there, nearly the last one to leave. But Smith didn't care. He's got the iPhone 4, which he said he has waited since 2007.

"I wanted to be the first one to get it," Smith said. "I didn't want to go with the carrier it was with before, so I waited. And now I'm good."

Smith, paying by check, had to wait out Verizon's computer system.

The Montgomery native headed a line of roughly 35-40 customers early Thursday morning to get their hands on the device.

Verizon iPhone 4 made its debut at some 2,000 stories nationwide at at 7 a.m., including at the Montgomery store on Eastchase Loop. It also went on sale at Apple retail stores.

Corbitt Mizell is a district manager for Verizon in the Montgomery, Auburn and Prattville area, and said he and his company were pleased with the turnout at Eastchase Thursday.

"It's been great. We had a good line this morning," he said. "Customers are excited, and employees are excited to offer it."

Maisel said he expects brisk business throughout the day, given demand for the Apple iPhone 4.

"We have a lot of pent-up demand for the product," he said. "Customers are excited that the day has finally come where we can offer it in the retail stores. We do expect it will be busy all day." Verizon began accepting online orders earlier.

The iPhone 4 costs $199.99 for the 16 GB model and $299.99 for the 32 GB model., with a Verizon contract.

Verizon iPhone 4 in MontgomeryMontgomerians flock to the Verizon Wireless store on Eastchase Loop to purchase the iPhone 4. Kalvin Smith was first in line at 5:50 a.m.